Exciting.!
From an upskilling perspective, potentially interesting to understand what parts of your previous traditional consulting work have been most relevant for cFactual pilot projects and where you thought so but it was not actually the case.
Thanks for the question, Merlin. Please note that we have a small sample size and are still refining our models of what skillsets are most relevant for more EA-aligned consulting.
Three things that have been useful: 1) Structuring problems, projects and meetings well, 2) Being able to switch quickly between different levels of abstraction quickly and constantly: Thinking carefully about a key assumption in an excel model in one moment and thinking about how the results change the big picture for a CEO in the next moment 3) More vaguely: Just having seen and worked with a lot of organization, projects and leaders, probably shaped our intuitions
Three things that were less useful than I thought: 1) Executional speed—On the margin, we care much more about what we work on and getting it right compared to getting things done; 2) Qualitative data selection e.g., interviewing—during the pilot project we did a lot more independent thinking and then specific testing of key uncertainties with key stakeholders. In traditional consulting, we would have conducted interviews earlier to develop our hypotheses (which has the cost of becoming potentially an echo chamber); 3) Project planning—during all pilot projects we adapted our activities quite a lot based on our updated models, what would be most impactful
Exploring how you can help launch small or mega projects could also be interesting. If we expect this century or decade to be “wild”, the EA community will create many new organizations and projects to deal with new challenges. It would be great to help these projects have a solid ToC, governance structure, etc., from the beginning. I understand that these projects may be on a slightly longer timeline (e.g. “the first year of the creation of a new AI governance organization...”) but it could be great. I’d personally feel more confident about launching a new large project if I had cFactual to help!
People have sometimes raised the idea of founding an AI-focused consultancy, to do things like evaluate or certify the safety and fairness of systems. I know you’ve said you plan to apply, but not perform “deep technical” work, but can you say any more about whether this space is one you’ve considered getting involved in?
Thanks, Ryan—that sounds interesting! We have not considered getting involved in this space. It would be great to chat to better understand what this service would involve in your view. (DM’d)
This looks phenomenal. I think there’s a lot of lessons to learn from the do-focused skillset of strategy and management consultancies. Wishing you the best of luck!
Having worked with Jona at the EA Consulting Network, I’ve experienced his clarity of thought and communication, strong prioritisation and impact mindset, and keenness to coach me with specific feedback I could put into action.
Exciting.! From an upskilling perspective, potentially interesting to understand what parts of your previous traditional consulting work have been most relevant for cFactual pilot projects and where you thought so but it was not actually the case.
Thanks for the question, Merlin. Please note that we have a small sample size and are still refining our models of what skillsets are most relevant for more EA-aligned consulting.
Three things that have been useful: 1) Structuring problems, projects and meetings well, 2) Being able to switch quickly between different levels of abstraction quickly and constantly: Thinking carefully about a key assumption in an excel model in one moment and thinking about how the results change the big picture for a CEO in the next moment 3) More vaguely: Just having seen and worked with a lot of organization, projects and leaders, probably shaped our intuitions
Three things that were less useful than I thought: 1) Executional speed—On the margin, we care much more about what we work on and getting it right compared to getting things done; 2) Qualitative data selection e.g., interviewing—during the pilot project we did a lot more independent thinking and then specific testing of key uncertainties with key stakeholders. In traditional consulting, we would have conducted interviews earlier to develop our hypotheses (which has the cost of becoming potentially an echo chamber); 3) Project planning—during all pilot projects we adapted our activities quite a lot based on our updated models, what would be most impactful
Congratulation, I’m excited to see cfactual launch!
Congrats on launching cFactual; it sounds great!
Exploring how you can help launch small or mega projects could also be interesting. If we expect this century or decade to be “wild”, the EA community will create many new organizations and projects to deal with new challenges. It would be great to help these projects have a solid ToC, governance structure, etc., from the beginning. I understand that these projects may be on a slightly longer timeline (e.g. “the first year of the creation of a new AI governance organization...”) but it could be great. I’d personally feel more confident about launching a new large project if I had cFactual to help!
Exciting!
People have sometimes raised the idea of founding an AI-focused consultancy, to do things like evaluate or certify the safety and fairness of systems. I know you’ve said you plan to apply, but not perform “deep technical” work, but can you say any more about whether this space is one you’ve considered getting involved in?
Thanks, Ryan—that sounds interesting! We have not considered getting involved in this space. It would be great to chat to better understand what this service would involve in your view. (DM’d)
This looks phenomenal. I think there’s a lot of lessons to learn from the do-focused skillset of strategy and management consultancies. Wishing you the best of luck!
This is very exciting!
Having worked with Jona at the EA Consulting Network, I’ve experienced his clarity of thought and communication, strong prioritisation and impact mindset, and keenness to coach me with specific feedback I could put into action.
Best of luck for 2023!
Giant congratulations! Are you open to working on neartermist projects?
Thanks! Yes, feel free to DM me, if relevant.